Elmntl unveils prefab cabins for creating wellness retreats in wild landscapes

Colorado-based startup Elmntl has unveiled a range of customisable cabins that provide bedrooms and sauna facilities in natural landscapes.

Elmntl hopes to "democratise boutique hospitality" with its collection of prefabricated cabins.

The startup aims to make it simpler and more affordable for landowners to offer unique vacation stays. Its cabins are fully customisable and easy to install, enabling a "zero-to-launch" service.

According to the brand, a digital platform brings ease and transparency to the design process, allowing users to adapt the cabins into more than a thousand possible configurations.

"Elmntl's platform for the hospitality market aims to make elevated architecture accessible for all," said founder Vlad Dubovskiy.

"We address the missing middle in the market – a move away from rigid, preset designs and towards customisable floor plans," he continued.

"We offer products with a personal look and feel in a modular format, without tipping into expensive, bespoke architecture."

Elmntl currently offers three different models. The Shelter is like a traditional hotel room, while the Refuge is a more comprehensive stand-alone living space.

The third option is the Sauna, which offers a choice of modules for wellness facilities. As well as the hot rooms, customers can add cool-down spaces, changing facilities and hot-tub decks.

The digital design platform allows users to either select preset floor plans or create fully bespoke layouts.

Other configurable options include the positions of windows, doors and skylights, the choice of exterior materials and interior colours, and further add-ons such as roof decks and fireplaces.

The prices reflect the level of customisation but are clearly displayed on the platform so users can see the cost of every component they select.

"Instead of seeing a cabin as simply a product, we are vertically integrating our hardware (the building) and the software (the experience), akin to an iPhone," said Dubovskiy.

"We think of our core product as delivering an unforgettable user experience."

Elmntl's products aim to tap into a broader trend for eco-tourism, with an increasing number of hospitality operators and resorts around the world offering vacations in wild, natural landscapes.

Among them is Scandinavian homeware brand Vipp, which has branched out from products to launch a series of guesthouses in remote locations.

This has led numerous designers and brands to develop modular cabins that can be built off-site and delivered to the desired location.

Other examples include Finland-based Space of Mind, a joint venture from design office Studio Puisto and furniture brand Made By Choice, and Koto, a UK-based startup.

Dubovskiy believes that Elmntl's tech-led approach will set it apart from competitors.

It offers a "turnkey service", handling every aspect of the planning process, and can also provide project management during the build if required.

The service is currently available nationwide in the US and Canada.

"Our big idea is simple – to foster a love for the fragile, wild, natural world," said Dubovskiy.

"To do that, we work with our hospitality clients to get as many people as possible into the elements."

The cabins are built to last, even in extreme weather conditions, but are designed for disassembly if required.

Elmntl promises to use biodegradable or recyclable materials only, with no toxic foams or plastics.

"We treat every carpentry detail as poetry we want people to witness," added Dubovskiy.

"Our products are intimate – the finer details make every choice feel considered. To us, a cabin or sauna is an extension of nature itself, so we build it with the spirit of adventure, fun, and obsessive care for the environment."

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